Scheduling and Fees
Standard fees and schedules:
Most typical process: Three sessions of two hours each. After the parties have reached agreement on all relevant issues, the mediator will draft a Mediation Report that encapsulates those agreements and includes standard language as well. The typical mediation takes four hours (couples without children) to six hours (couples with children), in addition to the several hours of time for the mediator to draft the Mediation Report. Most people can expect fees of approximately $1600 to $2200. However, mediation services are not provided on a flat-fee basis. Parties will pay for services as they are rendered. The mediator cannot provide services on a flat-fee basis because the parties control when the case is settled, and the mediator cannot force a settlement.
Fee policies: Payment is due 48 business hours before a scheduled session and is non-refundable. In addition to in-person sessions, a Mediation Report requires three hours of the mediator's time to compose. Parties who mediate an entire divorce with Mr. House and expect to receive a Mediation Report will provide one-third of the cost of the Mediation Report along with the regular session fee prior to each session. The first three session payments will include three hours of time each -- two hours of session time and one hour fee toward the Mediation Report
Discounts: If parties choose to pre-pay the Mediation Report fee and the fees for the first three Mediation Sessions in advance (a total payment of either $1680 for couples without children or $2160 for couples with children), no later than 48 business hours prior to the first session, parties will receive one additional mediation session at no charge. Most couples choose this approach so that they can go into greater detail on particular issues important to them without running out of time in three sessions. Additional sessions beyond three for couples without children or four for couples with children, which are rarely needed, are available at the regular hourly fee.
Additional fees: The mediator must charge for telephone calls and e-mails because they contain correspondence that would otherwise be the subject of the mediation and the discussions in session.
All other types of family mediation: Schedule and fee determined on a case-by-case basis after conferring with the family.
For all services, the mediator will charge additional fees if other expenses and time are incurred beyond what is allocated above.
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